TECHNICAL EDUCATION VOTE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4467, 21 September 1901, Page 3

TECHNICAL EDUCATION VOTE

“School Committeeman”, writes;—lt' is to be hoped that neimer the Premier nor the Minister of Education will entertain for a moment in any shape or form the suggestion made'.by the deputation of Otaoo members! of ; Parliament •that waited upon the Premier and the Minister fof Education * on' September 7th on behalf, of the Otago Medical School, vis., “that the money (nearly £3000) might be granted out of the vote for technical education.” In the Estimates submitted on . August 16th the gum of £13,250 waa asked for technical instruction, as against’£269o expended’ last year. Technical and manual strnction have been languishing for wanv of funds during the past years, and now we have va fair amout-but a long'way from sufficient for the demands already asked for by the committees and Boards ■ —any attempt to reducethat sum should be strenuously opposed by the people. . Mr Gilfedder, in his speech on the financial debate; said :—“He strongly favoured vigorous prosecution of technical. in order: to", equip the children of thia colony for'competition with; those of other countries.” Mr Gilfedder is an ex-school teacher, and ha should* be < a hid authority in the need ef prosecuting technical education _in eur schools. I believe the Premier ia, of the same opinion; too. Well, let the Government atand to their gnna, and decline the request of the deputation. U: anything, the. vote should be increased, not decreased. •